YSRCP Accuses Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu of Taking Credit for Bhogapuram Airport Progress

The Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) has accused Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu of taking credit for the development of the Bhogapuram airport project. Speaking at the party’s central office, YSRCP State coordinator Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy stated that the majority of the project’s physical execution was completed during the YSRCP’s tenure from 2019 to 2024.

What Happened

Addressing the media on Saturday, Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy claimed that 80% of the physical construction work for the Bhogapuram airport was accomplished under the leadership of former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy. He asserted that only 20% of the work remained after the TDP-BJP-JSP coalition government took charge in the state.

According to Mr. Ramakrishna Reddy, Chief Minister Naidu conducted the initial Bhoomi Puja for the project shortly before the 2019 assembly elections. However, he maintained that nearly all actual execution took place under the subsequent YSRCP administration, which launched the primary construction works in 2023 following delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. He added that had the pandemic not occurred, the airport would have been operational by 2020–21.

The YSRCP leader also alleged that Chief Minister Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan, and alliance partners have been misattributing airport-related statements to Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy as part of a political strategy. Furthermore, he claimed that Mr. Naidu has similarly claimed credit for the Rayalaseema steel plant project.

Key Highlights

• YSRCP claims 80% of Bhogapuram airport construction was completed between 2019 and 2024.
• Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy stated that only 20% of the airport work was left for the TDP-BJP-JSP alliance government.
• Necessary Central clearances and land acquisition were finalized during the YSRCP government’s term, with works launching in 2023.
• The YSRCP accused alliance leaders of misrepresenting statements made by Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy regarding the project.
• The party alleged that dissenting voices of farmers protesting land acquisition for thousands of acres were suppressed during early phases under Mr. Naidu.

Why This Matters

The political dispute over the Bhogapuram airport highlights an ongoing debate regarding political legacy and governance claims between the present alliance government and the previous YSRCP administration in Andhra Pradesh.

What to Watch Next

As political debate over infrastructure project ownership continues, official responses regarding construction status and land acquisition histories from coalition leaders may follow.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the YSRCP’s claims regarding Bhogapuram airport?

The YSRCP claims that 80% of the physical construction, key Central clearances, and land acquisition were completed during its 2019–2024 tenure before the current alliance came to power.

When were the main airport construction works launched?

According to YSRCP coordinator Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy, main construction works for the airport were officially launched in 2023.

What other project was mentioned in the allegation?

In addition to the Bhogapuram airport, the YSRCP alleged that Chief Minister Naidu took credit for the Rayalaseema steel plant project.

Source: Reporting based on official statements published by The Hindu.